 Commissioned Art By Ellen Worthy Stokes Versatility… Ellen Worthy Stokes' commissioned art redefines the term. No idea, no approach, no concept is above or below her consideration. Be it oil, acrylic, watercolor, glitter, pastels or drawing media; and whether she is using such paint-worthy surfaces as paper, canvas, doors or wood panels, Ellen's aesthetic complexity is matched only by her energy level. Ellen works with interior designers, individual clients and patrons who commission her services to create original art especially for their unique home or office spaces. She produces intensely personal and evocative art as varied as her choice of medium. As the "artist for hire," she seeks to fill the void that exists naturally between artist and patron. Through her communicative and artistic services, Ellen Worthy Stokes presents each patron with an opening by which he or she can proudly possess custom designed and executed original fine art for his or her specific needs. What once was limited to few is now available to many. Artist's Statement "I strive to raise the professional bar with every new commission. I am committed to creating and producing art at the highest level my skills allow. My patron may determine the subject and scale of a project but I have control over the integrity of its execution, composition, and presentation." For Ellen Worthy Stokes, the challenges of her commissions provide opportunities for invaluable technical growth and guide her creative and skill development: "Producing commissioned art for others is like participating in an ongoing professional workshop where the learning curve is crucial and continuous, as each experience builds on previous ones." General Procedures In general, a $1200 project cost minimum is required. Step 1 Ellen meets with each client for an initial planning meeting. Discussions with the prospective client identify the project, its scale, probable medium, level of complexity and review of the pricing schedule. Step 2 During a second planning session, appropriate visuals are presented to the client that may include images from books, or periodicals related to the client's theme as well as selected artists' works and/or photographs that relate to the subject. The client is given an opportunity to select favorite visual images that relate to the project. The proposed project may be small scale or it may be a work with a detailed or an abstract background. Carefully composed, the work may be representational or impressionistic. It may also be a combination of these factors. Budget parameters and any of the client's additional needs, interests or concerns are discussed at this time. Step 3 After assimilating the patron's information and requirements Ellen prepares a drawing, which shows the approximate design of the finished work. If appropriate the supportive visuals and photographs will accompany the presentation. The costs of the preliminary planning stages, which may vary considerably, are incorporated in the overall cost of the project. Step 4 If the preparatory sketch is accepted, an estimated price of the work and a completion schedule will be presented for the client's review. Step 5 When the artist and the client have agreed on the drawings, price and schedule, the drawings are initialed by the client and a signed agreement is executed between the client and artist on the scope of the work, price and the estimated completion date. The initialed drawings and signed agreement constitute the contract. Payments At the time the contract is consummated, the client will pay 30% of the estimated cost of the project to the artist. The balance is payable on completion or delivery of the art. Other payment options may be considered if the complexity, location, length of time involved, and scheduling requirements warrant. A pricing schedule is available on request. Project Completion A certain amount of "touch up" is sometimes necessary once the work has been completed, but the prior approval of a preliminary study generally reduces the need for extensive reworking and virtually eliminates client dissatisfaction with the finished work. However, the work is not refusable or returnable. Satisfactory work is guaranteed. The artist will make appropriate alterations if requested within 60 days after completion and delivery; however, major changes differing from the approved sketch may result in added charges. Copyright The artist reserves all copyrights in the finished work that may not be reproduced except with the written authorization of the artist. The artist may reproduce the work for promotional purposes. It will not be employed for other commercial ends without client approval. |